Vietnam always stands shoulder to shoulder with Cuba: President Luong Cuong
Vietnam would continue to stand alongside Cuba, share experience and provide assistance within its capacity, said President Luong Cuong at a reception for the special envoy of Cuba’s Party and State, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla in Hanoi on February 3.
In a solemn and fraternal atmosphere, the President welcomed the Cuban special envoy, who led a high-level delegation to Vietnam immediately after the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). He said the visit was a gesture of particular political significance, reflecting the close, trusted and faithful ties between the two Parties, the two States and the peoples of the two countries.
At the meeting, the Cuban special envoy conveyed messages from First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel and other senior Cuban leaders congratulating Vietnam on the success of the 14th Party Congress and the country’s recent achievements. He affirmed that Cuba’s top leadership regards Vietnam’s successes as a strong source of encouragement for the Cuban Revolution.
Bruno Rodríguez said Cuba has always been proud to have Vietnam as a loyal friend and comrade, and expressed confidence that under the CPV leadership, Vietnam would continue to achieve new accomplishments in the new era of national development. He also conveyed warm congratulations to Vietnamese leaders on the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the CPV founding.
Sending his regards to revolutionary leader Raúl Castro, First Secretary and President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other senior Cuban leaders, President Luong Cuong recalled the long-standing friendship between the two countries, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. He stressed that Vietnam-Cuba relations are an invaluable asset and a symbol of the era, tested through war and historical upheavals.
The President noted that amid increasingly complex global developments, consolidating and strengthening the special friendship and close solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba is not only the responsibility of each Party and State, but also the common aspiration of the two peoples, according to VOV.
 |
| President Luong Cuong hosts the special envoy of Cuba’s Party and State, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. |
He hailed the success of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year, marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960- December 2, 2025), with numerous high-level visits and activities carried out across all channels and levels. He expressed confidence that the current visit would further reinforce the special bilateral relationship.
Sharing the difficulties facing Cuba, President Luong Cuong affirmed that Vietnam never forgets Cuba’s support during its most challenging periods, and would continue to stand alongside Cuba, share experience and provide assistance within its capacity. He said the two sides should deepen cooperation in a stable and sustainable manner across all fields, making full use of each other’s strengths for national development.
For his part, Bruno Rodríguez said Cuba’s Party and State attach great importance to the special relationship with Vietnam, and pledge to effectively implementing existing cooperation mechanisms and agreements. He said Cuba would continue to promote people-to-people diplomacy, sub-national connectivity and cultural exchanges to further deepen and diversify comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, while expanding exchanges of experience across all channels and fields.
The two sides agreed to carry out high-level commitments and agreements, particularly key cooperation projects in agriculture, renewable energy and biotechnology. They also consented to create favourable mechanisms to support Vietnamese enterprises investing in Cuba, thereby bringing economic ties in line with the special political relationship, and to continue close coordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums.
Vietnamese Party chief’s upcoming Lao visit carries historic significance: Lao FM
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane expressed firm confidence that the Vietnamese Party leader’s visit will be a great success and fully meet its goals, given the high level of consensus and determination among top leaders of the two Parties and States, as well as across ministries and sectors, to propel development-oriented collaboration.
The upcoming state visit to Laos by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam on February 5 carries historic significance and strategic weight, advancing bilateral comprehensive integration across various areas, Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane told the Vietnam News Agency.
Thongsavanh said the trip, most importantly, marks General Secretary Lam’s first overseas engagement since the success of the CPV’s 14th National Congress. Choosing Laos as his first destination immediately after assuming the role of Party General Secretary underscores particularly profound significance.
He recalled that not long ago, Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith also paid a state visit to Vietnam shortly after the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). These reciprocal visits by the top Party leaders, following the elevation of bilateral ties to “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion”, represent a new milestone with distinct weight.
He said that Laos and Vietnam have a long tradition of exchanging visits after each Party congress to congratulate each other and share results. This practice, now elevated to state visits personally led by the General Secretary of each country, clearly reflects the unique bond between the two close Southeast Asian neighbours.
Such visits by top leaders from both countries will help younger generations grasp the importance and uniqueness of bilateral relations. In fact, this special relationship traces its roots to shared origins in the Indochinese Communist Party, with successive generations of leaders, revolutionaries and citizens from both nations making mutual sacrifices to build what has become a treasured legacy, one that current and future leaders are duty-bound to safeguard and advance, reported VNA.
 |
| Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane (Photo: VNA) |
In his view, political and national defense-security ties have always served as the core pillars, guiding the overall Laos–Vietnam relationship. In the years ahead, both countries should leverage their substantial potential to accelerate socio-economic collaboration.
With the recent upgrade in ties, he called for enhanced connectivity, integration and linkages. Key sectors, including transport, energy, economy-trade, logistics, and tourism, must be synchronously connected, supported by investment projects that drive momentum for mutual growth. Other sectors also need to be interconnected and mutually supportive, particularly education, which is a key area for cultivating a quality workforce, especially those who will directly serve the bilateral special relationship.
The minister expressed firm confidence that the Vietnamese Party leader’s visit will be a great success and fully meet its goals, given the high level of consensus and determination among top leaders of the two Parties and States, as well as across ministries and sectors, to propel development-oriented collaboration.
Describing 2026 as a pivotal year for Laos as it works toward graduation from least developed country status under the United Nations criteria, he said this process presents both challenges and opportunities for robust, sustainable progress toward an independent and self-reliant economy. In this effort, Vietnam has always provided wholehearted support, and Laos is confident that achieving this milestone will accelerate national development.
Despite ongoing global and regional complexities, Laos will steadfastly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Vietnam, pursuing joint development and shared prosperity for the benefit of both peoples and nations, he added.
The Lao side sincerely thanked Vietnam for facilitating Laos's access to the sea. Once landlocked, Laos now benefits from seaport linkages, a source of national pride and vital transport infrastructure. Ongoing projects, including the Vientiane-Hanoi expressway and railway connections to the seaport, hold major importance, he said, expressing hope for attracting more external partners.
If Laos achieves seamless transport connectivity to the East Sea, this would effectively open the East–West Economic Corridor, delivering gains not only to both countries but to the broader sub-region and ASEAN, he said.
Vietnam aims to rank top 30 worldwide in Soft Power index
The Government has approved a communication strategy on promotion of Vietnam’s images abroad in the 2026-2030 period, with a vision towards 2045.
Under the strategy, Vietnam targets to become one of Asia's leading nations in terms of national branding and image, striving to rank among the top 3 in ASEAN and top 30 worldwide in terms of the Soft Power index by 2045.
Vietnam will be clearly recognized as that of a developed, humane, creative, responsible, and trustworthy country—a symbol of peace, stability, national unity, and cooperation for development in the region and the world.
Vietnam will become an attractive destination for tourism, investment, innovation, and international cultural exchange, aiming to lure around 70 million international visitors annually and effectively attract high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI), contributing to the goal of building Vietnam into a developed and high-income country by 2045.
Vietnam has maintained its global position for Soft Power, holding steady at 52nd out of 193 nations worldwide and 9th in Asia, while strengthening the core perceptions underpinning its influence, according to a new iteration of the Global Soft Power Index by Brand Finance, cited VGP.
 |
| Photo: VOV |
Soft Power is defined as a nation's ability to influence the preferences and behaviors of various actors in the international arena (states, corporations, communities, publics, etc.) through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion.
Diplomatically, Vietnam has strengthened its reputation as a cooperative and constructive regional actor. The nation improved by 12 ranks to 70th for 'good relations with other countries', accompanied by gains in perceptions of helpfulness, human rights, and international cooperation. These developments align with Vietnam's deepening diplomatic ties, trade partnerships, and participation in global and regional initiatives.
Vietnam's tourism sector marked a milestone year in 2025, with international arrivals reaching nearly 21.2 million, up more than 20.4 percent from 2024 and the highest level on record, highlighting the sector's strong recovery.
Last year, the nation attracted US$38.42 billion of FDI capital, surging 0.5 percent year-on-year.
Traditional Tet rituals showcased at Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Running from February 1 to 25, the program brings to life the festive atmosphere of Tet during the Le Trung Hung (Revival Le) Dynasty (1533–1789) alongside the folk Tet traditions of ancient Thang Long, helping to spread and honor Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.
The Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi is hosting a wide range of cultural, ceremonial and experiential activities to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026, aiming to preserve and promote traditional cultural values while meeting the growing interest of the public and visitors.
Running from February 1 to 25, the program brings to life the festive atmosphere of Tet during the Le Trung Hung (Revival Le) Dynasty (1533–1789) alongside the folk Tet traditions of ancient Thang Long, helping to spread and honor Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.
A key highlight is the series of thematic displays and exhibitions. The traditional folk Tet exhibition reenacts New Year celebrations of an urban family in the former imperial capital, featuring familiar customs such as ancestor worship, hanging Tet paintings, making banh chung (square glutinous rice cakes) and exchanging New Year greetings, all reflecting the distinctive cultural identity and architectural character of the old Thang Long.
 |
| The ritual to release of carp to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. (Photo: baovanhoa.vn) |
Another exhibition space focuses on royal Tet rituals of the Revival Le Dynasty, introducing solemn ceremonies including the calendar presentation ceremony, the erection of the Neu pole and the royal New Year ceremony. These rituals are presented through panels, illustrations, replica artefacts and a recreated setting depicting the offering of New Year tributes to the king at the courtyard of Kinh Thien Palace.
The Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center is also hosting a documentary photo exhibition entitled “Tet in Memory”, which features historically valuable images of Tet celebrations in Hanoi and northern Vietnam during periods of hardship. The exhibition is held alongside displays of Vietnamese cultural heritage, helping to raise public awareness of heritage protection and promotion.
Complementing the exhibitions are performance programs and reenactments of the ritual of “seeing off the old and welcoming the new”, including the release of carp to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods, the erection of the Neu pole and the guard-changing ritual at the imperial citadel. These activities provide visitors with vivid, hands-on experiences within the more than 1,000-year-old heritage site, VNA reported.
Traditional events like the lowering of the Neu pole, the spring opening ceremony and water puppet shows during Tet, plus a variety of activities under the theme “Tet means Happiness”, are also on the schedule, making the capital a vibrant cultural and tourism hotspot this spring.
 | Vietnam News Today (Jan. 30): Vietnam, EU Upgrade Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Vietnam News Today (Jan. 30): Vietnam, EU upgrade ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; Vietnamese in Wellington celebrate Tet with cultural festivities; Vietnam works closely with ... |
 | Vietnam News Today (Jan. 31): Prime Minister receives Chairman of China’s Texhong Group; Vietnam, Singapore look to stronger comprehensive strategic partnership; Vietnam becomes founding member ... |
